Abstract: Various methods, systems and apparatus are provided for brain imaging during virtual reality stimulation. In one example, among others, a system for virtual ambulatory environment brain imaging includes a mobile brain imager configured to obtain positron emission tomography (PET) scans of a subject in motion, and a virtual reality (VR) system configured to provide one or more stimuli to the subject during the PET scans. In another example, a method for virtual ambulatory environment brain imaging includes providing stimulation to a subject through a virtual reality (VR) system; and obtaining a positron emission tomography (PET) scan of the subject while moving in response to the stimulation from the VR system. The mobile brain imager can be positioned on the subject with an array of imaging photodetector modules distributed about the head of the subject.

Abstract: Method comprising providing at least one solid carbide chemical compound and reducing a metal cation with use of the solid carbide chemical compound. A method comprising producing elemental carbon material from the oxidation of carbide in at least one carbide chemical compound (e.g., calcium carbide) in at least one anode of an electrochemical cell apparatus, such as a galvanic cell apparatus. The cathode can be a variety of metals such as zinc or tin. The reaction can be carried out at room temperature and normal pressure. An external voltage also can be applied, and different forms of carbon can be produced depending on the reactants used and voltage applied. For carrying out the method, an apparatus comprising at least one galvanic cell comprising: at least one anode comprising at least one carbide chemical compound, and at least one cathode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for treating stroke by administering to a subject an anticoagulant, e.g., recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA), and a protein kinase C (PKC) activator followed by administration of at least one PKC activator for a duration of treatment. The methods disclosed herein may limit the size of infarction and/or reduce mortality, the disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and/or the hemorrhagic damage due to ischemic stroke compared with rTPA administration alone; and may also extend the therapeutic time window for administering rTPA after a stroke. Also disclosed are kits comprising rTPA and a PKC activator for treating stroke.

Abstract: A plasma generator comprises a radio frequency power source, a coaxial cavity resonator assembly, and a direct current power source. The radio frequency power source provides a voltage supply of radio frequency power having a first ratio of power over voltage. The resonator assembly includes a center conductor coupled to the radio frequency power source, and also includes a virtual short circuit. The direct current power source is connected to the center conductor at the virtual short circuit, and provides a voltage supply of direct current power having a second ratio of power over voltage that is less than the first ratio.

Abstract: A system and method for quantitatively assessing the changes in control of asymmetric locomotor behavior of an animal comprising analyzing the phase modulation in response to imposed asymmetric stepping tasks for quantitatively assessing changes in control of asymmetric locomotor behavior. A walkway gait device is provided comprising an elevated grid having at least one platform having a face and at least two or more pegs located in front or back of said platform, wherein each peg has a pressure sensor or switch in communication with a detection unit for capturing the pressure detected by one or more of the pressure sensors or switches. Preferably, the grid of the walkway gait device has at least three platforms to form a closed path loop.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing lysergic acid and other ergot alkaloids by genetic modification of a fungus. A strain of fungus comprising Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) and expressing one or more genes of the ergot alkaloid biosynthesis pathway from one or more fungus selected from the group consisting of Epichloë festucae var. lolii×Epichloë typhina isolate Lp1 (E. sp. Lp1); Claviceps species; Claviceps africana (C. africana); Claviceps gigantea (C. gigantea); Epichloë coenophiala and Periglandula species, wherein gene easA or gene easM is inactivated in said A. fumigatus, is provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods of oxidizing carbide anions, or negative ions, from salt like carbides at temperatures from about 150° C. to about 750° C. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for reactions with intermediate transition metal carbides. In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides for a system of reactions where salt-like carbide anions and intermediate carbide anions are oxidized to produce pure carbon of various allotropes.

Abstract: Improved methods are provided for treating cancer patients, particularly patients suffering from lung cancer. Methods are provided for identifying whether a lung tumor will be responsive to treatment with a therapeutic regimen that includes pemetrexed and optionally includes cisplatin. A specific FR-? fragment peptide and a specific GART fragment peptide are precisely detected and quantitated by SRM-mass spectrometry directly in lung tumor cells collected from lung tumor tissue that was obtained from a cancer patient and compared to reference levels in order to determine if the lung cancer patient will positively respond to treatment with the c therapeutic regimen.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods of oxidizing carbide anions, or negative ions, from salt like carbides at low temperatures below about 600° C. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for reactions with intermediate transition metal carbides. In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides for a system of reactions where salt-like carbide anions and intermediate carbide anions are oxidized to produce pure carbon of various allotropes.

Abstract: Aspects of a continuous-time memory cell circuit are described. In various embodiments, the memory cell circuit may comprise a memory cell, a current source coupled to the memory cell, and circuitry for programming the memory cell at an adaptive rate, based on a target voltage for programming, using a feedback loop between a gate terminal of the memory cell and a reference control input. Based on the circuitry for programming, the memory cell may be programmed according to various voltage and/or current references, by linear injection and/or tunneling mechanisms. According to various aspects, the circuitry for programming drives a memory cell to converge to a voltage target for programming within a short period of time and to a suitable level of accuracy.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a sensor network may be provided with re-programmable and/or reconfigurable analog circuitry configured to monitor data collected by the sensor network. The re-programmable and/or reconfigurable analog circuitry may also generate a wakeup signal in response to a defined wakeup event detected by the sensor network.

Abstract: Various methods, systems and apparatus are provided for brain imaging during virtual reality stimulation. In one example, among others, a system for virtual ambulatory environment brain imaging includes a mobile brain imager configured to obtain positron emission tomography (PET) scans of a subject in motion, and a virtual reality (VR) system configured to provide one or more stimuli to the subject during the PET scans. In another example, a method for virtual ambulatory environment brain imaging includes providing stimulation to a subject through a virtual reality (VR) system; and obtaining a positron emission tomography (PET) scan of the subject while moving in response to the stimulation from the VR system. The mobile brain imager can be positioned on the subject with an array of imaging photodetector modules distributed about the head of the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of methods and systems related to stimulus responsive nanoparticles. In one embodiment includes a stimulus responsive nanoparticle system, the system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a plurality of elongated electro-responsive nanoparticles dispersed between the first and second electrodes, the plurality of electro-responsive nanorods configured to respond to an electric field established between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator for producing corona discharge plasma from is presented. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator has a folded cavity made of opposing concentric cavity members that are nested together to form a continuous cavity ending in a aperture. A center conductor with a tip is positioned in the cavity. The folded cavity advantageously permits the coaxial cavity resonator to resonate at a lower operating frequency than an unfolded quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator of the same length. Embodiments of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator use narrower apertures to reduce radiative losses, and include center conductors that are reactive load elements, such as helical coils. When a radio frequency (RF) oscillation is produced in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator, corona discharge plasma is formed at the tip of the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma can be used to ignite combustible materials in combustion chambers of combustion engines.

Abstract: A quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator for producing corona discharge plasma from is presented. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator has a folded cavity made of opposing concentric cavity members that are nested together to form a continuous cavity ending in a aperture. A center conductor with a tip is positioned in the cavity. The folded cavity advantageously permits the coaxial cavity resonator to resonate at a lower operating frequency than an unfolded quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator of the same length. Embodiments of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator use narrower apertures to reduce radiative losses, and include center conductors that are reactive load elements, such as helical coils. When a radio frequency (RF) oscillation is produced in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator, corona discharge plasma is formed at the tip of the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma can be used to ignite combustible materials in combustion chambers of combustion engines.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is a system and a method for strengthening one or more joints of a structure having a plurality of structural members forming a vacuous area at each joint. The method includes computing limit load bearing capacity for the structure, at a joint, securing a filler module to the joint, at the vacuous area, the filler module having a plurality of surfaces so that when secured within the vacuous area, some of the surfaces are tangential to the members of the structure at its joint, and one or more of the surfaces are non-tangential to the members of the structure, and applying at least one layer of continuous fiber reinforced polymer wrap about the filler module and the members at the joint. The filler module of the disclosed technology is designed and configured to dissipate energy from a load applied to the structure, and at least doubling the load bearing capacity for the structure, at the joint.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A tapered quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is adapted to mate with the combustion chamber. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means, or waveform generator, that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A loop coupling is angularly positioned within the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator to match impedances between the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and the energy shaping means, or waveform generator. Radio frequency oscillations produce a standing wave in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and a corona discharge plasma develops near the center conductor.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for collimator assemblies and/or energy analyzer arrays of plasma spectrometers. In one example, among others, an ultra-compact plasma spectrometer includes a collimator assembly; an energy analyzer array that receives charged particles from the collimator; and a detector plate that detects charged particles exiting the energy analyzer array. The energy analyzer array can include a plurality of analyzer plates having distinct energy channels. In another example, a method includes bonding a stack of analyzer plates to form an energy analyzer array, affixing a collimator assembly to the entrance surface of the energy analyzer array, and affixing an array of detectors to the exit surface of the energy analyzer array. The analyzer plates include energy analyzer bands extending from the entrance surface to the exit surface. The aperture arrays and the detectors can align with the energy analyzer bands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite anode for a battery comprising a copper current collector working electrode, at least one anode material comprising at least one of a carbon, a silicon, a conductive agent, and combinations thereof, wherein at least one anode material is deposited on a surface of the copper current collector working electrode to form the composite anode for a battery. An electrophoretic method for making this anode is provided. A lithium-ion battery having the composite anode is disclosed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for authenticating a person for access using an image of the face of that person. The system includes a camera, a data storage device, and a processor of a mobile device. The system compares a current image of the face of the subject to a stored image of the face of that subject and/or an image of the face of that subject provided by the subject and confirms that the same subject is depicted in both images.